Twist Of Fate

Not The Best Birthday

"It's the fourteenth," I murmur to myself, yet again. I haven't stopped grinning since morning. I love the 14th of September, best day of the year.
"Mus, are you ready? Can I come in?" Harry asks, knocking on the room door.
"Yeah!" I call out. "You can come in." I push my curls off my shoulders, and turn around. Harry enters the room and stops mid-stride. A gasp escapes his lips.
"Y-You look...I don't e-even know what to say." Harry stutters, clearly wracking his brain for words. "Because right now, I cannot box your beauty into words." A giggle escapes my lips.
"Thank you, that means a lot." I say, trying to keep a straight face. "You don't look that bad as well. I mean, a tux really suits you, Haz." I trail my gaze from his face till his black shoes. Harry's wearing a red dress shirt, with white hearts. A black suit jacket is draped over his right arm and he's wearing black pants. They fit his legs so perfectly that I want him to wear these everyday. The odd part is they're not even tight, they're loose, yet well-fitted.
"Are you picturing me naked?" Harry asks, snapping me out of my thoughts. I smile and shake my head, the image passing through my mind, briefly. Snap out of it! I scold myself.
"No, of course not! That's a...bizarre thought." I say hastily. Clearing my throat, I grab my clutch from the study table and slip my feet into the new sandals that Harry has gifted me. In fact, everything that I'm wearing has been gifted to me from Harry. My dress, my shoes, my clutch. Even the little makeup that I'm wearing is the courtesy of Harry. He gifted me a new makeup kit today.
"Bumper, as you know, the most important and best birthday gift is waiting for you at your house. However, I have another birthday present to give you today." Harry says, coming toward me, his hands behind his back. Ah, yes, the gift that Harry has told me is sitting at home for me.
"What now, Harry? You've given me enough gifts, please no more." I say, trying to see what's behind his back. His hands move toward the front and a small, square box rests in his hands. My eyes widen. It's gotten hot all of a sudden. I take a step back and Harry's eyes cloud with fear.
"Don't be scared, Bump." Harry says, shifting the box to his right hand and stretching his left toward me. I raise my palms, motioning for him to stop. He places his jacket on the back of the chair that's beside him, and lifts his hands, as if he's surrendering. "I just want to do this, please. I just want you to know how I really feel about you. Say yes or no, that's totally up to you, and it won't affect our relationship because I know you still don't have a clear view about your feelings regarding me." Harry moves downwards, toward the floor and rests his weight on one knee. "We haven't known each other for long." Harry lets out a bark of laughter. "A month isn't exactly forever, but that's just it. When I'm with you, I don't keep track of time. I don't count the minutes, or hours. I don't feel frustrated, Bump, the way I do with others. You make me feel good about myself. About the world! I don't know when you'll feel something for me, or if you even will, but I do. I already do. In fact, I think I did since the day I laid eyes on you. That night, when we were talking in the hotel room, I wanted to kiss you. With passion and urgency because you evoke emotions in me that no one else can or has. It makes me happy. You make me happy. I want to seal the deal, but I know you don't and that's fine. I'll give you time and space, as much as you want. Take a year, two. Take three! As long as one day, Bump, you tell me that you're all mine. Forever and always. That's all I want to hear in return. That's all," Harry looks at me in a way that no one has. "I love you and I'd love for you to accept this ring." Harry moistens his lips and opens the velvet box. A diamond ring stares at me, challenging me. Threatening me. "I want to share my life with you, my money, my name, my house and my pets. Everything," Harry chuckles. He looks at me expectantly, but I don't know what to say. My mouth is sealed shut and my whole body is numb.
"Harry!" Liam calls, entering our room. His eyes fly from me to Harry and then land back on me. His face clouds over with concern. Do I look that bad? Is it my face? I'm pretty sure I've lost all color from my face. "S-Sorry," Liam stutters. "We're ready to leave. But we can wait. Continue." He turns around and hastily exits. I screw my eyes shut and take calm, deep breaths. In through my nose and out through my mouth. I don't have to say yes. I don't have to say yes. I chant. But with Harry sitting here in front of me, I feel like I have an ultimatum. Oh, because I do. Even though he knows my answer, I could see the expectant look in his eyes. I open my eyes. It's there, again. But he understands. No, he doesn't. Shit! This is not turning out to be the best birthday I've ever had.